eastern. "hardball" starts right now. \s. barack obama's big night. let's play "hardball." ♪ good evening, i'm chris matthews in new york. just two hours away from president obama's sixth state of the union address. for the first time in his presidency, he's facing a congress that's completely controlled by the republicans. but that fact known since november has clearly liberated barack obama. the president's putting forward an aggressive agenda tonight. chief among the proposals is a new tax plans that shifts more to the rich the top 1%. today he got good news from the nbc/"wall street journal" poll. his approve rating is the highest it's been in 15 months. meanwhile, the public is growing increasingly optimistic you

heard it here about the state of the country. more americans are satisfied than at any point in the past ten years. and fewer americans believe the country is in a state of decline than at any point since that question was first asked back in 1991. people are optimistic right now. unemployment is down to nearly 5.5%. the dow jones is surging to record highs, of course gas prices, we all know that they have plummeted down to around $2. the economy grew 5% which is pretty darn good in the third quarter of last year. so it's pretty hard for republicans, even the craziest to make the case that the president is quote, destroying our country. for more on tonight, i'm joined by chuck schumer of new york and senator barbara boxer of california, and david axelrod, now an nbc news senior political analyst. i want to start with chuck schumer since i'm in your state. tonight seems different. for whatever reason i'm getting

excited about tonight. i get a sense it's the liberated barack obama tonight. >> i think that's exactly right. he realizes that he can do a lot of things with the republican minority. i think he's caught the nation's pitch exactly right that yes, we are doing better but the middle class still needs help. they haven't gotten and you have benefits from this recovery so he's in sync with the american people, feeling very good about himself and his positions. every time i've met with him since the elections, he's great, has his mojo back so i'm expecting a exciting speech. >> barbara boxer, 30 years ago i sat in your office and you told me it was up or out, you were going for the senate and here you are. five straight victorious elections in california being yourself. you have never stopped being a progressive. tonight how do you feel the president will go? is he going to go as far as you go generally and be a pure

progressive? >> i think this president will show that confidence that we've been seeing and there are reasons for it. you laid those out. the people get it they understand it. i think we're going to see him say, let's just keep on going. you know he's breaking all the records in terms the job crazy, private sector growth. his long streak as you said unemployment. now i think he's going to say let's do more as chuck said we've got to lift the middle class. that means raising the minimum wage. i hope he talks about that. tripled child care tax credit for families. it means rebuilding our infrastructure and creating millions of jobs. the last point i want to make is he has to stand strong and i think he will of any repeal of obama care that is working in my state, the uninsured are down by 50%, and medical errors are being reduced because of this

law. he has to stand strong on wall street reform and not allowing them to repeal the xwek tiff orders on immigration, which is so essential, and for keep families together. >> and calling the country to, quote, turn the page on wars and the recession he inherited. according to exception released by the white house, at this appointment, with a growing economy, shrinking definite session, bustling industry we are freer to write or futures than any other nation on earth. it's up to us to choose and will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort? let me go to david axelrod. you've been with a lot of candidates over the years, you've always been on that progressive side.

is the president -- in football and basketball term is he going to go for it in this last quarter? >> first of all, i don't think there's mystery about where he's going. he's been clear in the last few weeks, and they go to the fundamental issue of middle-class security of economic mobility so yes, chris, i think that's where he's going to go. everything that senator boxer said and by the way, senator, congratulations on a spectacular clear. >> thank you. >> i always enjoyed working with you. i think those who are looking for a clear sense of direction, progressive direction won't be disappointed in this speech. i think he's done a very smart thing by lays out the sort of pros of it the blueprint in advance, so he can soar tonight and give a sense of direction to the country. i think it will be a powerful speech. the trends i think are all fairlysh and the american public is feeling better yet it wasn't that long ago when conservatives

were predicting the total collapse of the american economy, and if president obama were reelected in 2012. remember that? let's watch the old predictions. >> if this president is reelected you're going to be chronic high unemployment continue for another four years or long, you'll see low wage growth and there will always be this fiscal calamity at our doom step. >> if you think about the fact that he's reelected, a total of an additional 58 months with that increase gas prices will be up around $6.60 per gallon. >> the country's economy is going to collapse if obama is reelected. i don't know how long. year and a half? two years? three years? >> look one thing you can know and that is if we reelect barack obama, iran will have a nuclear weapon. >> we're at a tipping point and quite possibly our condition as

we know it may be lost forever if we don't change the course our country is headed. >> imagine a small american town two years from now if obama is reelected, the wait to see a doctor is ever increasing. gas prices through the roof. and their freedom of religion under attack. >> senator schumer, it seems to me watching history the last 20 30 years, the republican argument has been -- and i don't think democrats make this argument, if you're popular you must be successful and if you're successful therefore you must be right. as long as they hang on that reagan record who was popular with the country, he was a great guy and suddenly numbers are moving in obama as direction. could it be you have an opportunity coming now with his popularity, can that give him a gust of wind from behind? >> i they yeah absolutely that's the case. you know what's so interesting, they're no longer using the rhetoric deficit reduction, cut

the government everything is too out of control. instead they're appropriating the president's rhetoric. they're talking about the middle class, they're talking about job growth now they're on our playing field, you know for a few years we had to play on their field, they're playing on our playing filed. i wouldn't be surprised if things continue the way they are, that they're going to compromise. tomorrow something unheard of the day after the president gives his speech having two republicans trumpet that they're calling for an minimum wage increase. while it unites us in a significant wage increase it divides them. i'm sure there is 20 or 30 republicans who won't even vote for it. it's sort of all flipped. the things we are talking about are popular, and the things they talk about don't woirk.

actual by a fun and hopefully protective year or two. >> one thing you can sursurmise it's almost like there's a conversation going on between he the president and perhaps the next president, hillary clinton, who 85% of democrats want to run. he's talking now about how he wants to lead the future. and the top clinton guy will be working with senator clinton. how do they work this as a team? i sense there's a team being developed between obama and hillary clinton. >> let me just say this. the minute he chose hillary to be secretary of state, you nigh this was the team of rivals and you knew that she was going to do a great job, which she did even the republicans had to finally give up their investigations on you know what so the bottom line is they made that team.

i can tell you right now there's cross-pollination all over the country. i've been doing some things for the hillary pac, and who do i see? people who supported barack people who supported hillary. there is a coming together. i think chuck is absolutely right. they are very unsure of what they want to do but right now what do they have on the floor the of senate? a keystone pipeline bill that will create 35 permanent jobs they ought to talk about rebuilding our infrastructure our roads, bridges, highways et cetera, and take that bill off the floor. the truth of the matter is we can even do better. we are doing great, but as chuck said it's about the middle class, making sure they get the benefits. and get off this keystone deal because he's going to veto if. 61% of the american people say

let the process play out and let's go to a job creation bill. >> chris, they can't help themselves. keystone is a special interest bill it benefits canadians pipeline companies. so we're building a straw, as eddie markie says from canada across the united states to send the oil to the rest of the world. they had an amendment and they couldn't bring themselves to vote for it. that's about jobs. even on this their first issue, which should be their strengths, they're tied in a knot. >> are they in a tank with the -- >> yes. >> no pulling back there. let me go to david axelrod. the last quarter, what do you think he's thinking? >> look in speaking to him, watching what he's doing, he's not looking at these polls, chris, and he's not thinking about the transient politics he wants to leave a lasting impact

and do the most he can on all these issues on middle-class security, on climate change on all the issues that he feels has real important, and i think that's what people are responding to. they want to see this country move forward. they see a president who's committed to that and a congress that seems flummoxed. >> i can't talk about it because it was off the record but the president was really something about what we're facing in the world on terrorism, and at the same time not letting -- so many people on the right seem to want to play that card. thank you. again my personal congratulations to one of the great legislators ever who never changed their stripes. barbara boxer, 5-0 for u.s. senate. i'm sure chuck will do a lot more. >> your mouth to god's ears. thanks. coming up much more on the address coming up at 9:00.

for the first time he'll be taking on a republican-controlled congress, and republicans are running a major counter-offensive with senator joni ernst, the iowa castrator leading the charge. quite a night and quite a fight. this is "hardball," the pla is for politics. president washington began this tradition in 1790 after reminding the nation that the destiny of self-government and the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty is finely staked on the experiment of the entrusted to the american people. to our friends in the press, let me say i did not actually hear george washington say that. [ laughter ] how can power consumption in china impact wool exports from new zealand textile production in spain and the use of medical technology in the u.s.? at t. rowe price we understand the connections of a complex, global economy.

it's just one reason over 85% of our mutual funds beat their 10-year lipper average. t. rowe price. invest with confidence. request a prospectus or summary prospectus with investment information, risks, fees and expenses to read and consider carefully before investing. ♪ nineteen years ago, we thought "wow, how is there no way to tell the good from the bad?" so we gave people the power of the review. and now angie's list is revolutionizing local service again. you can easily buy and schedule services from top-rated providers. conveniently stay up to date on progress. and effortlessly turn your photos into finished projects with our angie's list app. visit angieslist.com today. ♪ they're still after me. get to the terminal across town.

are all the green lights you? no. it's called grid iq. the 4:51 is leaving at 4:51. ♪ they cut the power. it'll fix itself. power's back on. quick thinking traffic lights and self correcting power grids make the world predictable. thrillingly predictable. [ female announcer ] we help make secure financial tomorrows a reality for over 19 million people. [ mom ] with life insurance, we're not just insuring our lives... we're helping protect his. [ female announcer ] everyone has a moment when tomorrow becomes real. transamerica. transform tomorrow. listen up... i'm reworking the menu. veggies you're cool... mayo, corn dogs...you are so out of here! ahh... the complete balanced nutrition of great tasting ensure. 24 vitamins and minerals. 9 grams of protein... with 30% less sugars than before. ensure, your #1 dr. recommended brand now introduces ensure active.

muscle health. clear protein drink and high protein. targeted nutrition to feed your active life. ensure. take life in.

tonight isn't about the president's legacy. it's about the people's priorities, making government bigger isn't going to help the middle class. more growth and more opportunity will help the middle class and those are the republican priorities. >> that was the speaker, of course, john boehner. we're less than two hours away from the president's state of the union address and the pre-buttals have begun. the president is riding a wave of good feeling as the job market has surged to life. tonight will address a climax in the recent surge of -- and historic opening to cuba a flood of populous policy orders. but for the first time in his presidency, he will be addressing a republican-led congress. republican party is running a

counter-offensive, rovers joni ernst, famous for her xap ad about castrating hogs will you leading the charge bess leading the party's official response and will be vying for the spotlight along with rand paul ted cruz and others who are broadcasting their own responses tonight, which is to me emblematic of the differences. congressman chaff its and congressman chaffetz thanks for joining us. you want romney to go to a third try? >> i want to win back that white house, and i think mitt romney and the field so far i think has the best chance not only to win, but be a great president. >> he told people that because i thought the economy was still dodgy. with these new numbers out there about jab growth wage growth dow jones growth actually superior to the rest of the

world, i was just in europe this week much better than what's going on there, yet you still think he's the guy to talk about the economy? >> i do. i think the strong suit for mitt romney is definitely about jobs and economy. income disparity is at record highs. if you want to talk to the entrepreneur the person starting a new business mitt romney is the single best person to do it. and he's been downright prophetic in talking about russia and the geopolitical questions, in contrast to hillary clinton who's got nothing -- >> look anybody can do what you just did. >> no but mitt romney was on the record in the last election talking about these issues mocked by barack obama, about talking about russia. he's got credibility to talk about it because he foreshadowed it. >> except that he's best known for a phrase about 47% of the country not really caring about those people. now he is saying i care most

about an inequality. when did he go on the road to damascus? what switched in his life to caring about the elite to a guy who cares about the little people? when did he change? tell me when? >> the mitt romney i have always known is about being a uniter. >> answer my question though. 40% are now hi valued children. when did that happen? >> that's a bit of a cheap shot. if you're asking me my opinion, i have known mitt romney for years. that's my personal opinion. i don't expect you to agree with it. >> i might agree with it if i heard the answer. when did he change from a guy who derided the 47% at the bottom, as to championing them? >> you can keep trying to repeat it. >> doesn't get an answer. i'll try other questions later. let me go to steve shall myth. >> look.

there's a chaeshl brown, lucy with the football elements to all of this with the responses. >> who is lucy and who is charlie. >> lucy may by joni ernst. i can't imagine why anyone thinks it's a good idea to sign up for the response to the state of the union. this isn't necessarily always a job you want to have but look this is an important nice. >> why is it so hard to look good? >> because you see -- you see the full majesty of the office of president of the united states on display, as we go through the ceremony as he's introduced as the congress comes to their feed and stands goes through the ceremonial applause applause. >> this is a moment in time where americans can look at this and see the best aspirations of the founders come to life. we see african-american president addressing the nation

addressing the world at a time of global challenge. by definition the response makes the respondent small, just not because they're not a good politics or they don't have a great message, but just very difficult to compete against the trappings and power of the office of president of the united states that you see on full display. >> i think it's fair to say joni ernst -- i'm not making this criticism -- as sort of a cowgirl, a cat ballou image. what do you think about that likability factor? what do you think it was about todd harris puts together a commercial that has her castrating hogs and everybody likes her, men and women both. what is in the american psyche that goes -- >> you want to relate to somebody. i've spent time with her. she's the real thing. she has the military background but she's been out on the farm. he just represents a lot of people and can do it with a smile on hurl face.

sometimes it's the intangibles. >> castration is pretty tangible. >> it made people smile. look, there are a lot of angst out in the country about the growth and expansion of government. when she was talking to the republican base she made a very good, visit point that got a lot of attention, and it was very successful. >> apparently so. in just a few moments we have an early look at senator ernst's response. she attacks the president say, quote, americans have been hurting, but when we demanded solution, too often washington responded with the same stale mind 2k7 set. as for the republican agenda she says quote, let's tear down trade barriers simplify america's outdated tax code -- that's really sound. there's three areas, first, with steve. tax reform. look, it's easy. >> the tax code in this country

is ultimate herly uncompetitive. it's a drag on the american economy, and it's incomprehensible. secretary results feld always signs an addendum that essentially says i have no idea what i'm actually signing here. we ought to fix it. that ought to be the province to do that. >> they did it back in '86 with reagan and o'neal. you lower the corporate rates, but you've got to take away the loopholes to keep it neutral. >> i would love to do that. broaden the base lower the rates. republicans, though, myself included, we don't want to see a $320 billion tax increase as the president proposed. do we need tax reform? absolutely. should we do it in a bipartisan way? i hope so but we are committed to that agenda. we just don't want the $100 billion in tax increases. >> will we have a big debate over taxes? >> i hope o that's what we're

supposed to be addressing and tackling. as long as we keep focused on having that debate i hope we do. >> last question -- will mr. romney run? >> i came on your show several months ago and told you i thought he would. yes, i think he's going to. >> i think you're right. you think he'll run? >> i think he is running and already a formidable candidate. >> he's coming off a recent run. thank you very much congressman chaffetz. he still has to answer that question. thank you, steve schmitt. a russian spy ship has docked in havana. and got a battle brewing tonight. historic actions by president obama to normalize relationship with cuba. this is "hardball," plat foils politics. we monitor every purchase every day and alert you if anything looks unusual. wow! you're really looking out for us. we are. and if there are unauthorized purchases on your discover card,

you're never held responsible. just to be clear you are saying "frog protection" right? yeah, fraud protection. frog protection. fraud protection. frog. fraud. fro-g. frau-d. i think we're on the same page. we're totally on the same page. at discover, we treat you like you'd treat you. fraud protection. get it at discover.com nobody told us to expect it... intercourse that's painful due to menopausal changes it's not likely to go away on its own. so let's do something about it. premarin vaginal cream can help

it provides estrogens to help rebuild vaginal tissue and make intercourse more comfortable. premarin vaginal cream treats vaginal changes due to menopause and moderate-to-severe painful intercourse caused by these changes. don't use it if you've had unusual bleeding breast or uterine cancer blood clots, liver problems, stroke or heart attack, are allergic to any of its ingredients or think you're pregnant. side effects may include headache pelvic pain, breast pain vaginal bleeding and vaginitis. estrogens may increase your chances of getting cancer of the uterus, strokes, blood clots or dementia so use it for the shortest time based on goals and risks. estrogen should not be used to prevent heart disease heart attack, stroke or dementia. ask your doctor about premarin vaginal cream. [ female announcer ] knows her way around a miniskirt. can run in high heels. must be a supermodel, right? you don't know "aarp." because aarp is making finding the career you love no matter what your age, a real possibility.

go to aarp.org/possibilities to check out life reimagined for tools, support, and connections. if you don't think "i've still got it" when you think aarp, then you don't know "aarp." find more surprising possibilities and get to know us at aarp.org/possibilities. i've been called a control freak... i like to think of myself as more of a control... enthusiast. mmm, a perfect 177-degrees. and that's why this road warrior rents from national. i can bypass the counter and go straight to my car. and i don't have to talk to any humans, unless i want to. and i don't. and national lets me choose any car in the aisle. control. it's so, what's the word?... sexy. go national. go like a pro. party divisions over the

president's new policy towards cuba will be on full display during the state of the union tonight. among the president's guests wlb alan gross, who spent five years in a cuban prison in a move that made it possibility for you to resore diplomatic relations. gross will be sitting with first lady michelle obama in the first lady's box tonight. not to be outdown several republicaning have decided to host one of them hosting a woman -- meanwhile an armed russian spy ship sailed into a havana harbor today and remains docked in advance of a u.s. top-le delegation which is arriving tomorrow for bilateral talks. what a show. i'm joined by democratic congressman charles rangel of

new york as well as msnbc political analyst howard fineman now global editor of "the huffington post." i've never heard you referred to as chuck rangel and i would never do such a disservice but mr. rangel you represented the first district. what do we make -- it looks to be an opening for everybody's good. >> what are you talking about, the cuban -- >> the cuban opening. >> oh, listen the whole thing was about electoral college votes in florida, and sensitive to the people who had big problems with a dictatorship in a communist country. i think we should be sensitive to that but what's far most important is what's the best for the economic and national security of the united states? >> it's mexico central america, south america, the hem i sphere.

so yes, we wish the chinese were democracying, but we have to move forward. and thanks go -- republicans who knew the embargo was wrong as well as democrats. >> one thing i know about you, sir is you fought in korea, you risked your life thank got you got back. i think el know all about that. but the question is is this basically the worst thing that could happen to cube ale if you're a communist, if we do get in there with trade and the word gets around that we have new cars now and things like that get out there, that maybe that will bring down that regime. what's your view? and the people -- i'm not talking about the administration, but the poor people in cuba -- one is

american movies and i said what else? they said every darn thing else. they love us they were -- they try to give us blood during catrinkatrina katrina, during 9/11 the embargo was just governments fighting each other, but americans love the cuban people, the cuban people love us and maybe we can get rid of some of these spy ships by pushing our big cruises in there and getting to know people better. >> thank you, mr. rangel. at the seems to me the whole problem is republicans are doing the thing they always do. when gay people wanted to get married, they said we'll go with the people who don't like that. when blacks began to get rights in this country, we'll go with the whites in the south, they pick out the treaties accomplicically, and saying to the older cuban-americans, and they have a fair argument let's go with them. why are they trying to build a political party over the ideas

of the democratic party? >> because in recent decades, they've been build on resentment, chris, on cultural politics and fear and cultural resentment. >> where's the win? >> well, there is no win right now. marco rubio, the senator from florida, cuban born and, and really full of knowledge of all of the fear and resentment about the cat tro years, nevertheless was trying to move out and make himself available to and be a peace maker in the hispanic community generally in the united states. it's almost like the "godfather" movies, he trying to get out and they pull him right back in and now he's got to be the hard-line cuba first/cuba only politician playing to the resentments at the base of the republican parties and in florida where older cuban-americans and cuban immigrants are still resentful.

if you look at younger cuban-americans they're all for normalization. most of the hispanics in america are also for that and rubio is symbolic of the predicament of the republican party. >> there is nothing in american politics that can be compared to. >> thank you sir, for coming on. i love what you said about cuba and love what you have done for our country. charles rangel and howard fineman. we're less than 90 midges away from the state of the union and tackling the tough issues tonight. it's about history setten aagenda. the roundtable will talk about that? just a moment, here on "hardball," the place for politics.

what makes thermacare different? two words: it heals. how? with heat. unlike creams and rubs that mask the pain, thermacare has patented heat cells that penetrate deep to increase circulation and accelerate healing. let's review: heat, plus relief, plus healing, equals thermacare. the proof that it heals is you. ♪ nice! gr-reat! a shot like that... calls for a post-game celebration. share what you love with who you love. kellogg's frosted flakes. they're gr-r-reat!

earning unlimited cash back on purchases. that's a win. but imagine earning it twice. introducing the citi® double cash card. it lets you earn cash back twice, once when you buy and again as you pay. it's cash back. then cash back again. and that's a cash back win-win . the citi double cash card. the only card that lets you earn cash back twice on every purchase with 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay. with two ways to earn, it makes a lot of other cards seem one-sided.

i'm richard lui. jury selection has begun in the trial of james how ward. he's pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. indonesia's transport minister says the airplane was climbing like a fighter jet. and a new isis video has emerged showing two japanese hostages. a militant says both will be squuted unless a $200 million ransom is paid one 72 hours. now back to "hardball." i want you to know what you're watching for and they're going to tell us what we are looking for tonight, especially

from the republican opposition michael steele joan wallish, and robert gibbs. brilliant at "jeopardy." all are msnbc contributors. he beat me badly once and i will get even. i have to tell you, in all fairness tonight, you can ignore isis, but it's still there. and they're killing people. the two poor japanese guys i don't even no if they have a trial, and they want $200 million, because they figure the japanese have the money. >> that's one of the challenges that the president i think will have to walk not so much tonight but afterwards. a lot of people will celebrate with the president the good economic news but this is the harsh reality, chris, these things are still happening, and there is concern about how this administration who's made it very clear we want boots off the ground now in a position of having to put some boots on the ground and what does that mean going forward? it will be interesting to see how the president addresses it

tonight from what he's put out. so far it doesn't look lie he gets too heavy. >> robert how will he explain the -- i've read the excerpts. he says we will win somehow. who will get on the ground and start shooting the bad guys. >> part of what we're going to do and probably what he's going to talk about is how do you train people in saudi arabia or in syria to do some of that boots on the ground stuff, and i think a lot of this -- >> train who? >> well i think a series of fighters to go in and be those -- >> syrians? >> i don't think it's syrians, but i think it's retraining iraqis. we have clearly not going to put thousands of troops on the ground. that obviously is one of the things -- >> but they are. the other side's got 30,000 troops fighting us and what do we have? >> f-16s, f-22s, and certainly a lot of it will come through

airpower. >> the big story i'm raising is not just the horror of what we saw with the two japanese guys but i can hear it coming the echo the republican charge guess the president, where is your comprehensive plan to attack isis? >> i don't know that's the role of the state of the union. >> their role. >> sure, but i think it's possible to say the "charlie hebdo" attacks changed, things too, europe is much more engaged and should be more engaged. and i think the president has done a great job of diplomacy on this. >> but are the europeans prepared to put boots on the ground? and to your point it's not just the airpower. you now have generals saying at some point you'll have to deal with the face-to-face boots on the ground, because the fighters in the air can only do so much. >> as i mentioned, the president will tell congress tonight america is making progress,

according to excerpts of the speech the president will say, quote, tonight i call on this congress do show the world we are united by passing a resolution to authorize the use of force against isil. that's an interesting thing to throw out there, and a bit dangerous. >> the authorization? >> he has to get it now. >> look the good news is you have a very united front, this isn't like when the president initially thought about going in in retaliation to chemical weapons in syria. this is -- there will be some debate about it but i think there's no doubt, the one thing you can bet on tonight is there will be a united frond in discussing and deciding this is a fight that we would father rather have 15,000 or 10,000 miles away than we would in new york or washington. >> what do you think will be the meaning of such a resolution? it will let him do things but won't mandate --

>> i'm sitting here asking myself, you know use of force to do what? so the congress can give you a blank check, not necessarily meaning -- >> well they did in 2002. >> they did. have learned from the lesson of 2002 and 2003 what does this mean mr. president? will he spell out what he intends to do? that's the part we don't know yet, but that's the time for that. >> it's a war, we're declaring war. >> i think it's important that he's going to congress. i don't think you can get away with a few skirmishes saying it's going to go on for six months. i'm a little less optimistic than you are, robert. >> why is he doing it? before he said he didn't have to. >> because i think hi recognizes this is a long-term problem and will require a lot more national will and a lot more national buy-in. >> and he wants the congress on the hook for it. >> what do you mean by that? >> and i think rightly so. the problem i've had in the past is when the congress has almost

abdicated its responsibility to vet down and throughsh so it's on both parties' -- >> both parties are responsible for it. >> is that why he's doing it? >> i think -- >> this is a big story tonight. >> we as a country want to see our leader in a constitutional democracy all take that step forward and say we are all opposed to this radical islam. i think we have to be careful we're not at war with people that practice -- >> but you're hearing republicans saying call it islamic terrorism. i here -- they used to say islam-o-fascism. they want to make it ethnic, when everybody knows it comes from a subgroup. >> that's true but they don't want to make it ethnic. >> why -- what's to be gained? >> everybody on the planet is calling it islamic terrorism, that's -- the president himself wouldn't say what robert just

said. so if you have the president hollande calling it to the prime minister of great britain cameron calling it that why can't the president be with the rest of the world and call it what it is? >> because i think he thinks it's important to not make enemies. >> they are already our enemies. >> but this is a very important point. we are not at war with that religion. >> we know that. >> hold on. in all fairness, michael, not everybody in your party knows that. bobby jindal -- >> i was just going to raise that. >> bobby jindal is in london doing interviews saying there are no-go zones where islamic law governs parts of england and parts of france. this was something -- this was something that caused david cameron to say that guy as an idiot as he was walking off a set. he 'thinks about running for president. so look i goat passionate about

this, i know the president does too. i think everybody has to. because their target often islami terrorists i. i'm happy to use that temple is people of their own religion. but we have to separate that. >> that doesn't mitigate who is doing it. >> of course it doesn't. >> i think it helps their cause to call it islamic terrorism. they want to ignite anger against the west. >> and we are a different country. we are not france or england. we have a different approach. and i'm not part of that magazine's editorial staff. i don't believe in making fun of anyone's religion. i'm not je suis-anything. the roundtable is staying with us to the end of this hour. this is "hardball." the place for politics. with or without this congress i will keep taking actions to help the economy

grow, but i can do a lot more with your help. because when we act together there's nothing the united states of america can't achieve. meet the world's newest energy superpower. surprised? in fact, america is now the world's number one natural gas producer... and we could soon become number one in oil. because hydraulic fracturing technology is safely recovering lots more oil and natural gas. supporting millions of new jobs. billions in tax revenue... and a new century of american energy security. the new energy superpower? it's red, white and blue. log on to learn more.

they're coming. what do i do? you need to catch the 4:10 huh? the equipment tracking system will get you to the loading dock. ♪ there should be a truck leaving now. i got it. now jump off the bridge. what? in 3...2...1... are you kidding me?

go. right on time. right now, over 20,000 trains are running reliably. we call that predictable. thrillingly predictable. are you still getting heartburn flare-ups? time for a new routine. try nexium® 24hr. the latest choice for frequent heartburn. get complete protection. nexium level protection. i've had a lot of hondas. we went around the country talking to people who made the switch to ford. i loved the look of the fusion... we test drove it...i was like "this is my car". all-wheel drive is amazing... i felt so secure. you can do it, emmie! ecoboost is when you can take a four cylinder and make it feel like a six cylinder... i was really surprised... i drove the fusion... and i never went back. make the switch to america's favorite brand. check out special offers on ford fusion at ford.com or see your local ford dealer. ♪ you get sick you can't breathe through your nose suddenly, you're a mouth breather. a mouth breather! well, put on a breathe right strip

and shut your mouth. cold medicines open your nose over time, but add a breathe right strip and pow, it opens your nose up to 38% more. so you can breathe and do the one thing you want to do sleep. add breathe right to your cold medicine shut your mouth and sleep right. breathe right. and look for the calming scent of new breathe right lavender in the sleep aisle. right now from the state of the union. we're back with the round table right now. what is the headline going to be? obama defiant? >> i think it would be obama promises middle class tax cuts and the fine print will talk about middle class inequality.

>> i think it is so much for tax reform because the president is basically proposing something that will go nowhere and means absolutely nothing. >> it's a starting point. >> it's a starting point to nowhere. >> i'm sure there are a lot of the same proposals, i think it is obama pitches stronger middle class. i think it is everything that includes a middle tilt of middle class economics. >> roll back history on cuba on same-sex marriage is that smart? >> i don't think they're trying to roll back -- >> where am i wrong on that list? >> they're not trying to roll back the history. >> they want to roll back obama care and get rid of it. they want to -- seriously -- >> i'm going to answer your

question. i think what you're going to see whether it is in obama care, cuba, or the proposal on taxes, they will put together a package that puts parts of those things on the table for the president. so, for example, obama care medical device issue, on taxes, you're going to have probably something on capital gains, but not the wholesale approach that the president wants. >> i hope that he makes republican proposals. there is a david kemp proposal. >> i think what will be interesting to hear in the republican response in the days coming is not just what republicans are against. i think tonight starts the battle of ideas that takes us through 2016. and i think will be listening

for someone like a joni ernst. do they talk about health savings accounts things like that. i think you will have to begin, if you're a republican we know you're against obama. the great thing for democrats and republicans in 2016 -- his name is not on the ballot. if you want to compete in that contest, it's your turn to shape the ideas of not only what you're against but what you're for. >> when we return let me for with the president's big night tonight. you're watching "hardball," a place for politics. ♪ [audible safety beeping] ♪ [audible safety beeping] ♪ [audible safety beeping]

♪ the nissan rogue, with safety shield technologies. the only thing left to fear is your imagination. now save up to $1,000 when you finance the 2015 nissan rogue. nissan. innovation that excites.

push your enterprise and you can move the world. ♪ ♪ but to get from the old way to the new you'll need the right it infrastructure. from a partner who knows how to make your enterprise more agile, borderless and secure. hp helps business move on all the possibilities of today. and stay ready for everything that is still to come. how could a luminous protein in jellyfish impact life expectancy in the u.s., real estate in hong kong and the optics industry in germany?

at t. rowe price we understand the connections of a complex global economy. it's just one reason over 85% of our mutual funds beat their 10-year lipper average. t. rowe price. invest with confidence. request a prospectus or summary prospectus with investment information, risks, fees and expenses to read and consider carefully before investing.

let me finish tonight with this. president obama zooms into his fourth quarter with the wind at his back. he is up for setting a course not just for the next few years but for the country's future. he wants people to know where he barack obama, want this is country to go. he wants to lead the way for those that think like him even have he is president. it is about legacy and something more imminent. yes, tonight's speech will be political, you got it.

me is not going to be shy about saying where he wants the country to go in his presidency by executive action or the legislative help of the republicans or afterwards by a democratic successor. when you wash here tonight, listen to the battleline points that he makes about the income equality gap, opportunity, financing community college, shifting the tax burden off of the middle and working class. giving people small and important breaks like paid leave for parents. we have two parties in this country vying for leadership. a democratic to be president, but there is a vital imbalance in this authorize.ty. the president is chosen by all of us at once. twice we have chosen him to lead us. tonight is his chance to lean on his advantage. he believes what he wants and

where he wants us to go. speaker boehner cannot do that. some of whom can hardly be trusted to share his politics. a couple dozen did not even vote for him this time. the bomb chucking character assassinating ted cruz gives his salute to a hard drinking lad named joseph mccarthy. the president has an edge tonight, he can speak for himself and the progressive and moderate forces in the could be try. it's not going to be a fair fight thanks entirely to the president's critics that aligned themselves at each election. they need to hide on nights like tonight when the entire country is watching. that is "hardball" for now, the

msnbc special coverage of the address begins right now. good evening and welcome to msnbc's special coverage of the state of the union address. to article two, section three of